Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 15, 2014 News
The Ministry of Public Works is reaffirming its commitment to prevent congestion and distraction on the roadways and at major intersections in Georgetown following the removal of “water vendors” who had occupied the Vlissengen Rd./Irving St. /Lamaha St. intersection.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Public Works Ministry noted that the move, which was authorized by Minister Robeson Benn, is due to a notable increase of vending at the critical intersection.
The statement said that vendors who had occupied this major traffic light junction had moved rapidly from water selling to adding “sweet drinks” and “snack selling” at this location creating significant and growing congestion, safety risks and litter.
It was noted too that the Ministry had previously denied occupation of this intersection by fruit vendors, fish sellers and vagrants, and will not allow this practice to continue.
“Not only had the number of sellers increased but also the variety of trade they plied at the intersection.”
Last week, those selling beverages along the intersection were reportedly removed by officials of the Public Works Ministry. Some of their goods and storage equipment, (mainly water coolers) were also seized.
Minister Benn noted the dangers associated with the practice of water vendors, who have become known for hindering the free flow of traffic around the city by occupying roadside reserves, intersections and areas near the traffic lights.
Benn expressed that not only are these persons not authorized to vend along the roadside but their latest methods for vending water also pose danger to road users.
“We can’t have persons standing at the street lights and intersections stopping the traffic just to make a sale. This can cause accidents and people can get hurt,” Minister Benn said.
However, the bottled water vendors remain defiant in a bid to ply their trade despite the orders of the Minister. Some vendors have said that they are not willing to give up the trade, since it is often their main source of income. One male Regent Street vendor expressed that for many, there are no alternatives to this method of earning a living.
“We are poor people earning an honest living. I would move from one place to the next, but I can’t stop sell. If the government want we move let them create alternative fuh we, because we ain’t got nowhere else to go and we got children to take care of,” the man said.
However, the Ministry of Public Works reaffirmed its commitment to prevent roadside congestion caused by illegal vending.
“The Ministry of Public Works would like to reiterate that it will not condone congestion and distractions on the roadways and intersections particularly with respect to Declared Public Roads and traffic light intersections – such activity is illegal,” the statement said yesterday.
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